Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/07/2024

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  ***********************, the attorney that I hired has not done his job but yet he is charging me for all the phone calls which were to find out where my case was at. He was making calls with the attorneys at ************* and ********************** and charging me for contact with the attorneys, yet nothing was every brought to court. With ************* he claims they owe me $30,000 because I was missing this from my account.  I would like my money back from *********************** at this firm.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/29/2024

  **** called to say she did not receive the complaint. Resent complaint

  Business Response

  Date: 06/10/2024

  I am writing in response to the complaint filed against Douglas, **** & Heidemann, P.C. and myself as the attorney who represented *********************, resulting in the complaint referenced above.  It is my understanding that the above-referenced complaint was submitted on or about May 7, 2024 via email to our office administrator, *********************; however, due to spam filters catching the email, it was not discovered until approx. May 29, 2024.  I am responding to the compliant as soon as is practical following my actual receipt of the same.
  
  BACKGROUND - By way of background, I was retained as legal counsel for ********************* and his company regarding some issues that he was having with his banks/lenders.  As to ************** we were hired to obtain and review documents for ****************, which we did.  We were never retained to file any suit against ************** and no further action was taken against *************.  **************** is free to proceed against ************* if he feels that he has any claims against them.  As for *********************** we were formally retained to file suit against them on behalf of ****************.  The suit included a massive amount of paperwork review, and research for appropriate legal causes of action prior to filing suit.  The lawsuit alleged multiple counts against the ********************** for essentially "bad faith" in lending.  **************** executed an attorney-client agreement with our firm which laid out expressly what our fees would be hourly, including the fact that **************** would be charged for all time involved in the case, including telephone calls.  **************** reviewed the Petition against ********************** and verified and signed the same.  Following filing of the lawsuit, it progressed normally, including the filing of an answer by the Bank, and initial discovery typical of litigation.  As ******************** counsel, we put in time as needed, including telephone calls and emails with opposing counsel to see if we could resolve case early, and assisting **************** with discovery responses as needed.  The lawsuit against ********************** was filed on or about 12/20/2023.  By the time that discovery had been responded to on behalf of **************** in early April of 2024, **************** had begun expressing his dissatisfaction with my representation.  Based upon ******************** loss of confidence in my representation of him, I notified him that I would be withdrawing from his case in early April of 2024.   The Circuit Court approved our withdrawal, and **************** was kept notified at all times.  **************** has every opportunity to continue his case against either or both of the Banks that he has had problems with substitute counsel.

  At this time, Douglas, **** & Heidemann, P.C. and I are not certain what can be done to resolve this issue.  All of the amounts that **************** paid in fees were for time and efforts actually put forth on his behalf, and were consistent with the attorney-client agreement signed by **************** with our firm.  No fees or costs were billed to **************** without the work having been performed.  **************** has benefitted from our work in that any substitute counsel that he decides to hire will be able to pick up where we left off and will not have to re-do the work.

  At this time, we would respectfully submit that both sides should simply walk away from each other.  I will be happy to provide additional information as needed, and so long as I can do so without violating my ethical obligations as former counsel to ****************.   Thank you.